Chapter 4: Doc Daneeka Notes from Catch-22

Catch-22 Chapter 4: Doc Daneeka

Doc Daneeka is bitter that the draft took him away from his profitable civilian medical practice. Brooding over his bad luck, Doc Daneeka avoids the medical tent and shifts his duties onto two enlisted men, Gus and Wes. Ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen initiates a screw-ball round of prank-calling between rival generals Peckem and Dreedle. Abiding by General Dreedle's wishes, Dunbar, Yossarian and others pass the time shooting skeet. Dunbar loves shooting skeet because he hates it; the boring sport lengthens hours and improves his life-span. Clevinger does not understand Dunbar's obsession with slowing time and growing old. As Dunbar explains, "You're inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age?" Chapter 4, pg. 48